Monday, 29 December 2008

86 x 86 inches, this pink and green quilt was based on an idea in an Australian Patchwork and Quilting Magazine Vol 17 # 2. I started it a few days ago and now have the top ready, just need to find something suitable for backing and get it along to the long arm quilter when she opens after the holidays.

Wednesday, 24 December 2008

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONEHEALTHY NEW YEARI found this photo in my parents house, while clearing out. It is 54 years old!!I am Mary age 10 years and my sister Debbie is the angel singing on the stool age 7 years.The innocence of childhood, when we strung cotton wool balls and paper chains for decorations, and put balloons on the tree. Sadly I do not know who the other three girls are.

Thursday, 18 December 2008

Decided today was THE day.. time to start preparing for 2009 "Stash Busting" plus thought it might be an idea to UFO bust while I was at it !!!

I weighed 14 metres of fabric converted it to yards and found the weight worked out to be 4.3 oz per yard [ I refuse to measure in metres and weigh in grams ] I then emptied my fabric cupboard and weighed all the cotton quilting fabrics AGH ! Horror ! 2708 oz which is 630 yards. This will be my starting figure for 2009.

THE PLAN is to reduce this to below 500 yds and only buy what I cannot live without.

While I was in the sorting out mode I then thought I had one or two UFO projects so I'd add them to my list.. see seperate entry, but when did one or two UFO's become 20 plus ?

Wednesday, 17 December 2008

While attending a quilting workshop a few weeks ago someone mentioned Sandie Lush and her wonderful work, I said it was something I really fancied having a go at. Next thing I know a person I hardly know sent me two patterns and a kit she no longer wanted and had not touched.

Although I am not know for hand work, [ give me a sewing machine anyday!] I started the kit and could not leave it alone. I just love making the colonial knots and have now started my 2nd kit. Thank you Julie.

Monday, 1 December 2008

December First and another BQL challenge bag to make, so I set to early this morning and have made a Ballet bag for my 5yr old granddaughter who is performing in a concert on Friday and Saturday for the first time.

I have been very busy making Christmas presents but cannot put pictures up as family might see them!

Tuesday, 18 November 2008

Another Christmas present made, and this time I have discovered the maker of the pattern.. The City Stitcher, and it's called Sawtooth Cats. The picture does not really show, but I have made the cat with red eyes!

Sunday, 2 November 2008

Having started well and over the first 6 days managed my "hour a day" I was then attacked by a virus that meant no sewing [or anything else!], so this weekend I have managed to complete the missing 9 hours and finish the top. I intend to back it and quilt it next year as I have too many projects I need to make for Christmas gifts.

Monday, 13 October 2008

Front and back of a lap quilt I have just sewn the binding on.

The fan side was made through a Quilt University on line course, and the back is just some Christmas blocks I have had in my stash for some time. The machine quilting was done by Janie at Oakleaf Quilters.

Managed to complete this wall hanging last night at the Hamtune Quilters [Northampton ] meeting.

It was made at an Oakleaf workshop with Gail Lawther.

To make things more difficult for myself I use silk fabric from Thailand, and to handle the fraying problem with silk, backed every piece [ before cutting out] with thin iron-on vilene. The piece were placed onthe design and then iron-on tape covered the joins and using a zig zag stitch with a twin needle I completed the design. I have three more of these patterns from Gail I would like to make when I get a spare minute !!

Quilt an Hour a day with Judy Laquidara started today, so spent an hour joining two pieces of fabric together to make 60 new squares, a little more ironing to do and then re-cut to the required size. I have all my fabrics choosen and cut ready.

Decided to make the BQL October challenge bag in bright ladybirds and plain red fabric, spent a lot of time sewing the triangles ready for the bag front. Will work on the bag back tomorrow. [Kandy Newton design]

Friday, 3 October 2008

I am spending a long weekend in our holiday home [ Mobile home in Hereford, looking towards Wales] so brought along some fabric to cut out.First project cutting out fabric for a bag of the month, a BQL yahoo idea. Looks like a very nice bag this month, so I have choosen ladybird fabric and plain red!My next project is a new idea to me. Judy Laquidara has a "Quilt for an hour a day" webbased project, so I thought I'd give it a go, having never done anything like this before. Monday to Friday I need to quilt for an hour [guess I can use weekends to catch up if needed] and in three weeks, as if by magic I will have a 70 x 81" quilt made !! I have spent the afternoon cutting out all the fabric ready to start on Monday.Diana enjoying the winter sun